Nothing tops a weekend off like a Cambo gig, and a Hard Ons/Jello Biafra split bill was too tempting to pass up on this chilly Sunday. With average ages pushing mid to late 30’s, it was a grey, somewhat subdued crowd that filled the back bar for the Hard Ons high velocity opening onslaught. Veering from piledriving melodic punk to raucous grind, the band is in great form and the songs just keep coming. The new song about the ducks splashing in the pond goes down a treat with an extended and very noisy guitar solo (one of many) and their tunes set the tone for the night’s proceedings.
There’s no doubting the legend status of Jello Biafra, and though there are many, many different bands I would love to see him tour with, the pedigree of his backing band (featuring ex Rollin’s Band bassist Andrew Weiss who replaced ex Faith No More’s Billy Gould) is unquestionable. Right from the start they are high energy, Biafra joining the band on stage after a gloriously loud intro and not stopping his dancing, flailing and political street theatre until the end of the immensely satisfying set.
Dead Kennedy’s classics like ‘Chemical Warfare’, ‘Calfiornia Über Alles’ and the immortal ‘Holiday In Cambodia’ were delivered with visceral energy and Biafra’s visual comedy played nicely against the frantic surf guitar/punk of those timeless tunes. Newer songs like ‘Brown Lipstick Parade’ and ‘New Feudalism’ stand up well against the classics, that signature vocal unmistakable regardless the context and as strong and defiant as the man himself remains. Half political polemicist and half punk provoker, Biafra’s stories and diatribes are delivered with genuine passion.
One punter found reason to throw punches at him and ended up receiving a few well placed ones himself from a few obliging punters after he had succeeded in pulling Biafra off stage before security escorted him from the building. Obvious idiots aside, nothing can remove the smiles on the faces in the room as they round out a second encore to a room that would stay for hours more if the curfew would allow. Vital, energetic music made by vital, energetic human beings. Man it’s funny how refreshing and positive that can be!
Reviewer: Roger Killjoy
Photographer: Snelvis
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killer review mate , would have loved to see this show….